Clamping device for wire fences.



' N0. 868,64 4. PATENTED OCT. 22, 1907.

J. A. (ELEMENTS.

GLA MPING DEVICE FOR WIRE FENCES.

APPLICATION-FILED JAN. 29, 1907,

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No. 868,644- I PATENTED OCT. 22, 1907.

J. A. GLEMENTS..

CLAMPING DEVICE FOR-WIRE FENCES.

' APPLIGATION IILED JAN. 29. 1907.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES A. OLEMENTS, OF ABINGDON, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-FOURTH TO JAMES W. HUNTER, ONE-FOURTH TO CHARLES W. ROBERTSON, AND ONE-FOURTH TO ALBERT R.

OLEMENTS, ALL OF ABINGDON, ILLINOIS.

CLAMPING DEVICE FOR WIRE FENCES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

- Patented Oct. 22, 1907.

Application filed January 29, 1907. Serial No. 353,313.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMns A. GLEMENTS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Abingdon, in the county of Knox and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Clamping Devices for Wire Fences; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention has relation to new and useful improvements in clamping devices for wire fences, and essentially consists of two parallel clamping bars between which the horizontal or line wires of a fence may be held while the stretcher is being attached to same,

' and a hitch adapted to be attached to said clamping bars. Said clamping device operates to take up the slack in the fence wires and is so constructed that when the pull or power is applied to the said hitch, said clamping bars will be turned laterally, and so firmly clamp the horizontal or line wires of a fence that all possibility of the wires slipping is eliminated.

With these and other ends in view that will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, my invention consists in the novel construction, combina tion and arrangement of parts as illustrated in the drawings and set iorth in the specification and claims hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of my invention in operative position; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the hitch; Fig. 3 is a vertical section view of a construction of eye bolt, washer, and nut employed in connection with the other parts comprising my invention; Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view of my invention, on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1, and Fig. 5 a perspective view of a construction of washer I employ.

My invention is described as follows :'1he numerals l and 2 represent two upright parallel clamping bars. Washers 3 having longitudinal slots 4, and curved hearing surfaces 5, in their outer faces, are secured by screws 6 or other equivalent means to the outer face of said clamping bar 2. Said bar is preferably provided with only two washers, one of which is located near its upper and the other near its lower end. In use, said clamping bars are adjustably connected together by eye-bolts 7 which pass through the slots 4 in said washers 3, through corresponding longitudinal slots 7 in said clamping bars, and have screw-threaded engagement with nuts 8, fitting in recesses 9 in the outer face of said clamping bar 1, and provided with horizontal plates 10,

preferably formed integral with the outer ends of said nuts said plates it) having transverse perforations near hitch, which is adapted to be attached to said clamping bars when my invention is in use. Said hitch is preferably constructed with a broad transverse body 13 and two horizontal arms 14, one terminating in a poll 15, and the other having engaging means 16 near its front end and preferably terminating in a poll 17. The body of said hitch is also provided with a poll 18 and is made wide at its inner face to prevent the impairing or bruising of the clamping bars also to prevent either end of said bars from creeping ahead when put in strain. I In case any difficulty is experienced in securing the hitch in position, the poll 18, of the body thereof, may be struck a few blows with a hammer. Said hitch may be readily removed from engagement with said clamping bars by striking the polls 15 and 17 of the arms 14 with a hammer or other means.

In the application of my invention said clamping bar 1 with the eye bolts '7 secured thereto is passed under the horizontal wires of a fence. The heads of said eye bolts are then passed through the corresponding perforations or slots in said bar 2 and the longitudinal slots 4 in said washers 3. The heads of said eye bolts 7 may 7 be then turned in position across said slots 4 in said washers 3, clamping the free ends of the line wires of the fence securely between the said clamping bars. As before described, said nuts 8 are fitted in recesses 9 in said bar 1, and held against turning by said horizontal plates 10, and in securely clamping the free ends of the horizontal wires of a fence between said clamping bars, it is only necessary to give the eye bolts 7 a quarter-turn by means of the thumb and finger, for positioning the heads of the bolts transversely of the slots 4. The curved bearing surfaces of said washers greatly facilitate turning said eye bolts, by providing a smooth surface for the heads of said bolts to work against. This is especially true when turning said eye bolts in a reverse direction to release said clamping bars from engagement with said fence wires.

It will be observed that my clamp is of such construction thatwhen a pull is exerted on the hitch by means of a wire stretcher the clamping bars 8 are caused to turn laterally, in which position only a very small pressure is required on the horizontal fence wires to keep them from slipping from said clamping bars, no matter how severe the strain to which said wires may be subjected.

In describing the various details of construction of my improved clamping device I wish it understood that many changes or modifications may be made therein without in any manner departing from the essential features of the invention and any such changes as would come within ordinary mechanical judgment may be resorted to and still come within the scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters-Patent is 1. In a clamping device, the combination of two parallel clamping bars; means for securely clamping the free ends of thehorizontal wires of a fence between said clamping bars, and a hitch, comprising a transverse body having a poll and horizontal arms, terminating in polls and one arm having draft engaging means, substantially as shown and described.

2. In a clamping device of the character described, the combination of two corresponding clamping bars; Washers having-longitudinal slots and tapering bearing surfaces secured to the outer face of one of said bars; horizontal plates, having nuts on their inner faces, secured to the outer face of the other bar, immediately opposite said washers; eye bolts passing through the slots in said \vashers and screwing in the nuts of said plates, corresponding perforations in said clamping bars, and a clevis having a body and horizontal arms adapted to engage said clamping bars, substantially as described.

3. in a clamping device of the type described, a clamping bar having transverse perforations, nuts attached to the outer face of the bar in line respectively with said perforations, eye bolts extended through the perforations and having terminally threaded engagement with the nuts, a second clamping bar having longitudinal slots arranged in alineinent with the perforations in the first named bar, washers applied to the outer face of the second bar and having slots in register with the slots in the latter, said washers being provided with curved bearing surfaces adapted to cooperate with the heads of the eye bolts for drawing the bars to clamping position, and a hitching member designed for detachable engagement with the bars.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

JAMES A. CLEMENTS.

Witnesses r. G. NEW, .T. W. HUNTER 

